A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. | A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. |
Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. | Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. |
|
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. | Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! | A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! |
The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. | Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. |
Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. | Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. |
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. | Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. |
A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. | In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. |
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! |
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. | Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. |
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. |
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. | A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. |
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. | Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. |
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents. | Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. |
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince. | Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! |
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends. | Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. |
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. | A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. |
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. | A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. |
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. | Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. |
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. | Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. |
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. | The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. |
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. | The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. |
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. |
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. | The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. |